Pleasant Grove survived a late scare.
Holding on to a slim lead going into the final frame, the Hawks found themselves in a bases-loaded jam but were able to thwart a Spring Hill rally to post a 3-1 victory on Friday at Hawk Field.
The game was the first of a doubleheader.
Pleasant Grove got two quick outs in the seventh, but the Panthers managed to draw a walk and reach base on an error. With runners on first and second, Colin Martin delivered a single, but couldn't get the run home because of PG's strong-armed center fielder Carson Cox.
"Cox set the tone for us early, no doubt about that," Pleasant Grove head coach Riley Fincher said. "He got up there and found his pitch and drove it. He's a four-year player for us and a great leader on and off the field."
Spring Hill got on the board first when Ryan Lepire got on base with a single and was later brought home with a hit from Dylan Hutchison.
Going into the bottom of the first, Cox took back the momentum with a lead-off home run over the center field wall. Cox finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with his homer, a double and an RBI.
The Hawks would score again in the fourth inning when when Andrew LeGrand was beamed by a ball with bases loaded to bring in Braden Hlavinka.
PG pitcher Nick Voyles pitched a complete game while only allowing four hits and striking out eight, including three in the sixth. Voyles and the defense combined for four innings of retiring the side in order.
"I thought we got a great pitching performance from Voyles," Fincher said. "He went up there and stopped them from doing much and not letting them get into any kind of groove. He did a great job."
For coverage of Game 2 of the twin bill, see Sunday's edition.
Pleasant Grove hosts New Diana at 2 p.m. today.
Spring Hill=100=000=0=-=1=3=0
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Alex Brown and Jonas Roberts. Nick Voyles and Keaton Russo. WP-Voyles. LP-Brown. HR: PG-Carson Cox, 1st, none on.